JORHAT: Renowned filmmaker Jahnu Barua was conferred with the prestigious 15th Annual Maghai Oza Award during a solemn ceremony organized by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) in Jorhat. This event was part of a two-day program commemorating the birth and death anniversaries of Maghai Oza, a legendary folk artist celebrated for bringing Assam’s traditional drums to international prominence.
The award presentation was led by Palash Sangma, President of the Central Committee of AJYCP, alongside General Secretary Ratul Borgohain, Chief Advisor Rana Pratap Baruah, and members of the Jorhat District Committee. The accolade included a citation, traditional gamosa, saleng, japi safra and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.
In the ceremony, Palash Sangma was dismayed by the lack of attention bestowed upon folk artists, condemning local authorities for paying no heed to Oza's work. He cited the absence of ceremonial observation at Oza's tomb on significant anniversaries.
At his acceptance speech, Jahnu Barua praised the honor and emphasized the necessity of valuing the contribution of mass artists in cultural identity. He further suggested the prospect of an Assamese-language film scheduled for release in 2025, though he refrained from giving detailed information.
Barua addressed the issue of government support for artists, stating that while assistance is valuable, artists should strive for independence and self-sufficiency in their creative endeavors.
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